Snow misses Chicago area, pounds NW Indiana

February 03, 2009

Lake-effect snow missed most of the northeastern part of the state, but is now dropping heavy precipitation on Northwest Indiana, where a lake-effect snow warning remains in effect.

Between 3 and 6 inches are expected in Lake County, 6 to 12 inches are expected in eastern Porter County and up to 18 inches in northern Porter County, said Charles Mott, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

"It is -- and I emphasize the word -- slowly moving east, but there will be some snow over that area for today moving into tomorrow," he said.

The lake-effect snow will make travel very difficult or impossible.

"The combination of the snow on the roads and the wind makes for white-out conditions," Mott said. "From our reports, there are cars going off the roads."

Wind chills in and around the city tonight may drop as low as 10- to 20-below zero, with winds from the northwest from 15 to 25 miles per hour. Gusts up to 30 miles per hour are expected until early Wednesday morning.